Details are available from Microsoft Research at

Projects – Microsoft Research

While exploring work being undertaken by the Microsoft Applied Sciences Group regarding Smart Displays and the use of  Wedge Technology 

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/events/techfest2012/projects.aspx#AppliedSciencesGroup

I came across this interesting video demonstrating a number of techniques for future Smart Interactive Displays (although I do note that this video was posted about a year ago!)

Several demonstrations are shown in this video in which 3D information is taken as input and given as output through a smart display: a steerable autoStereo 3-D display, a steerable multiview Display, a retro-reflective air-gesture display, a display that can see, and a Kinect based virtual window

Click here to view the embedded video.

(video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahynrIjTrZ8 )

Videos covering recent topics described at TechFest 2012 can be found on the website at

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/events/techfest2012/video.aspx

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Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized computer developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the UK. It is based around a Broadcom BCM2835 SoC, which includes an ARM1176JZF-S 700 MHz processor, VideoCore IV GPU and has 256 Megabytes of RAM. There are a number of interfaces including HDMI for video output, an Ethernet connection, 2 USB ports, audio port, composite video connection and an SD card slot.

General purpose I/O pins allow you to connect it to other electronic compnents, and there are digital camera and lcd interfaces. It is powered from a micro-usb adapter.

The system boots from an SD card which contains the OS within about 15 seconds.

One goal is to encourage people to learn how to program and the Scratch Programming system from MIT is used as an example.

Click here to view the embedded video.

(video link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BbufUp_HNs )

It’s available on sale from today, although it may be some time before  you get your hands on one –  the expected delivery date for mine is 16 April …

Useful Links

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

http://www.element14.com/community/groups/raspberry-pi

http://scratch.mit.edu/

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See this and other projects mentioned at

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2012/feb12/02-27TechForum.mspx

It consists of a camera and micro-projector: the camera captures video of the local workspace and sends it to the remote space and the projector projects video of the remote workspace onto the local space enabling real-time interaction between remote users.

Click here to view the embedded video.

( Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewmw8fUTa0Y )

Useful Links

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/illumishare/default.aspx

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Check out the CNET iPad 3 rumour roundup at

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-57333994-243/ipad-3-rumor-roundup/

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Apple’s App Store is approaching its 25,000,000,000 download and is offering a $10,000 gift card  prize if you happen to be the one who downloads it.

More details at

http://www.apple.com/itunes/25-billion-app-countdown/

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See this and other projects mentioned at

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2012/feb12/02-27TechForum.mspx

The device uses a see-through OLED display combined with depth cameras which enable users to directly interact with a virtual 3D desktop. Head tracking ensures that the correct perspective is maintained as the user moves and reaches into the virtual scene to manipulate 3D objects.

Click here to view the embedded video.

(Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGa1Q7NvsI0 )

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I’m looking forward to see what the New Year will bring.

Yet again I’ve missed out on attending CES, but will still trawl around the web trying to capture snippets on interesting announcements as they become available  - coverage is usually quite good

I think, this year could be the year of the Internet TV …

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I’m interested in separating Business calls from Personal calls and when abroad possibly using a different Sim in addition to my usual one. This low cost, basic phone would appear to fit the bill for making calls, sending/receiving texts and the occasional email. Although, if you’re looking for a smartphone with full internet capability you may need to look for something different.

The Samsung Ch@t 222 allows you to use 2 Sim cards at the same time. With both active, you only need to select which one to use when making a call or sending a text. You can set different ring tones for each Sim so so its easy to determine where your incoming call is comimg from. Another feature which I find useful is being able to read the occasional email.

Still early days, but I find it suits me well.

Full details and spec is available from the Samsung site at

http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/mobile-devices/mobile-phones/qwerty/GT-E2220LKAP4U

Thanks Santa.

PS.  Although, I really like this phone can you ask Apple to produce a dual Sim iPhone next time please.

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My iPad 2 was not showing (on my Mac) as a device associated with my iTunes account . On closer investigation, I appeared to have  trouble enabling the automatic download feature on the iPad using Settings…Store. Each button for Music, Books and Apps would switch off by themselves after a few seconds.

Simple fix is to Sign Out of your account on the iPad then sign back in. Buttons would then remain switched ON and the iPad correctly appeared as a device in the iTunes account on my Mac.

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The device is a tabletop computer slate that provides a 40-inch touch sensitive display. More details will be available at CES2012 and other news sites are reporting a price of $1299.

Click here to view the embedded video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dlUi3DnrzA

The company web-site is at

http://www.exopc.com/

(but is currently not showing any further detail)

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